Common challenges new interns face has been discussed and explained in this article; read to the end to know about them.
If you are trying to take an internship after the current school year, you should search for employers who have programs. If accepted, you may be wondering what to expect.
Like most interns, you are ready to begin gaining professional experience, but the first day on the job can be frustrating if your expectations are not met. As your career progresses, you will find that you will have good and bad experiences to learn from.
Common challenges new interns face
If you take lessons from everyone you interact with in every training or job you have, you will gain experience. There are a few considerations for your first training that you should keep in mind. Here are common challenges new interns face
Take a rational approach to problems
The learning curve associated with a new job is steep, and there will inevitably be unfortunate accidents early in the process. Learn to ask questions, take a logical approach in any situation, and try not to jump to conclusions or take anything personally while trying to resolve concerns.
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You will be assigned a Grunt Work
First, remember that in most internship programs, people think you must pay your dues as an intern before landing a full-time job. There is a lot to learn about the organization, its people, its mission, and the customers it serves, and a lot of this learning occurs while doing the normal work.
If you can change your view of menial tasks, then an unfavorable situation may turn into a beneficial one. For example, while making coffee, you might have some professional knowledge. As you fill out the documents, you can learn more about the company’s operations.
You may not be compensated for your work
Some trainings do not offer pay for work. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, if the company is a “for-profit” company, and you are classified as an employee, then you generally have the right to be paid for your work.
The Department of Wages and Hours of Work has issued a seven-factor test to determine whether or not a trainee is an employee. The employee’s status depends on:
The extent to which the trainee and the employer clearly understand that there is no expectation of compensation. Any promise of compensation, explicit or implicit, implies that the intern is an employee – and vice versa
To what extent does the internship provide training similar to that provided in an educational setting, including clinical and other practical training provided by educational institutions
The extent to which the training is related to the formal education program for the trainee through integrated study courses or obtaining academic credit
The suitability of the internship training to the academic obligations of the trainee through compatibility with the academic calendar
The extent to which the training period is limited to the period in which the training provides the trainee with useful learning
The extent to which the work of the trainee complements the work of the paid employees rather than replacing them while providing significant educational benefits to the trainee
The extent to which the trainee and the employer understand that the training is taking place without entitlement to a paid job at the end of the training period
Whether or not you are employed depends on more than one factor and can depend on the position of the trainee.
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You may become confused
It is not uncommon for trainees to feel overwhelmed, and many of them are given a heavy load with minimal training. Persevere in the early stages, and give yourself some time to speed up.
However, if the discomfort is persistent, and you don’t feel that things are getting easier, you may want to reconsider whether the training is worth continuing. Ask for a second opinion from other interns, a co-worker, or someone you trust to give you a good perspective. You might be too tough on yourself and doing well.
The employer may have unreasonable demands for trainees. If in doubt, speak to your trainee program manager about their expectations, and to get feedback on your performance. Although difficult to explicitly discuss performance and expectations, it does show maturity.
Afraid of asking the question
Suddenly, there’s a flux of work, and you finally have the chance to prove yourself! But you are not sure about x, y, and z. . . You might feel pressured to be a freelance and self-sufficient worker, but it is much better to clarify the uncertainties!
What to do: Follow this rule, and you’ll become a better factor: Don’t assume. Siddiqui is a civil engineer, and her supervisor told her that his most important rule is not to assume something is true. Always check if you are not sure. You will avoid silly mistakes and ramshackle bridges. This is one of the most common challenges new interns face.
Few or no feedback creates a challenge
Regular assessments are essential for all employees, but especially for interns and entry-level candidates. Employees need to know if they are doing a good job or if something needs to change.
Many employers ignore the need to get feedback from interns, which puts a burden on you to search for it.
If you get little or no feedback, ask your supervisor if you are performing properly. It might be a casual coffee question if you feel more comfortable with a less formal setting.
Many of the challenges you will face in the workplace relate to dealing with problems and other people tactfully and thoughtfully. Learning different approaches to different personalities is a basic workplace productivity tactic. This is also one of the most common challenges new interns face.
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Don’t forget to have fun
Try to have fun while testing your training. Training is an experience, and despite the seriousness of the training, you can have a good time. Often people are so busy trying to convince everyone that they forget to be themselves and live a little.
When talking about fun, know that some people are having some fun at the expense of the intern. If something you’re being asked to do seems a little far fetched, it might be someone trying to laugh.
